Lawlor, 65, a Democrat from Waterbury, declined to say exactly why he was resigning from the job, which pays about $150,000 a year.

"I've always recognized the fact that I'm temporary," he told The Hartford Courant on Monday. "It's not a permanent job."

Lawlor had called for more rigorous training for judges and staff, more financial auditing and more oversight from the central office for the state's 117 probate courts, many of which have been criticized for perceived cronyism and inconsistent performance.

He also proposed consolidating some courts, which would resulted in some judges losing their jobs.

Local probate judges worked for years with virtually no supervision. When Lawlor tried to impose reforms, the judges fought back.

Probate courts are known primarily for settling people's estates after they die. They also handle commitments of people with mental illness, termination of parental rights and other matters involving children and the elderly.

Lawlor's resignation came as a surprise to state lawmakers and Gov. M. Jodi Rell. His successor has not been named, but must be a sitting probate judge.

"He has been playing the honest broker, moving in the direction of reform," said state Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, co-chairman of the legislature's Judiciary Committee.

Joseph Secola, a Republican probate judge in Brookfield, has been a leader of a group of probate judges from small towns who opposed Lawlor's consolidation plans.

The state's probate courts have been having money problems, and a group of judges is working on a cost-cutting plan. Even small-town judges expect some courts to close because of financial pressures.

Rep. Michael Lawlor said he expects improvements to the probate court system in the future.

"It reminds me of the county sheriff system -- something that was an anachronism and all these mini-scandals came up," Lawlor said. "It's certainly something that needs reform."